Folding trellis.



' I. A. BROWN.

FOLDING TRELLIS.

AIPLIOATIOH FILED MAR. 11, 1908.

905, 983 Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

mt Enron:

ATTORNEY.

11-1: NORRIS PETERS 5a., \vAsnlnarom'nfiu UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRVING A. BROWN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FOLDING TRELLIS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING A. BROWN, citizen of the United States, resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga,and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding Trellises, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

This invention relates to devices designed in general for supporting trailing or climbing plants, as also for use as a protective inclosure, something in the nature of a fence, for use about fiower beds and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide means of this sort that may be easily folded into compact form for the purpose of shipment or storage, particularly the latter, While being at the same time of simple and durable construction.

To the accomplishment of these and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a section of trellis, or fence, embodying my several improvements; Figs. 2 and 3 represent, in perspective, the construction of the joint whereby the sections composing such trellis are connected the parts of such joint being shown in folded and open condition, respectively, in the two figures; and Fig. 4 shows, in open position corresponding to that of Fig. 3, a modified construction of joint.

As will appear from an inspection of Fig. 1, the trellis, regarded as a whole, is made up of a plurality of connected sections A. These are so constructed and joined as to be readily foldable in either the same or in alternate directions, one upon the other, the structure of the several sections being such as to render them sufficiently rigid to be capable of sustaining the burden which the plant, that the trellis is designed to support, Will throw upon it.

The specific construction illustrated consists, then, of a plurality of vertical rods a,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 11, 190s.

Patented Dec. 8, 1908.

Serial No. 420,296.

the lower ends of which are pointed for insertion in the ground, the upper ends of which are desirably provided with knobs a conveniently formed by simply recurving the ends themselves. A series of longitudinally disposed rods a connect adjacent vertical rods a, the respective ends of rods a being fixedly and pivotally secured to the corresponding rods a so as to form joints a the construction of which is more particularly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Having regard to any one of vertical rods a, the adjacent ends a of one series of longitudinal rods 0/ are fixedly secured, such attachment being had either by soldering, welding, or similar means as found most convenient in manufacturing. The extreme portions (1, are furthermore bent upwardly and thence into substantial contact with rods a so as to provide loops within which are held the recurved ends a, of the other series of rods a. Such ends a are not only thus ivotally secured to rods a but are also eld against vertical movement as clearly appears in Fig. 3.

In the modified joint construction illustrated in Fig. 4, instead of rigidly attaching the ends of one series of transverse rods (1 to vertical rods a, the ends of both such series are looped about, and thus pivotally secured, to the vertical rods. To retain the rods (1 against vertical movement upon rods (1 separate clips 0. in the form of staples adapted to inclose the juxtaposed looped ends of two alined longitudinal rods 0 are provided, and thus retain the latter in place. It is not necessary that more than one leg of the staples a be affixed to rods (1, and such aifixing may be had, as in the case of rod-ends a by soldering, welding, or inother suitable manner.

Where the device is to be used as a trellis for supporting a single plant or clump of plants, such trellis is made preferably of four sections, that, when opened and the free sides of the terminal sections brought together, is adapted to form a rectangular support. Should it be preferred, however, five, or more, sections may be utilized and an inclosing support having a corresponding number of sides thus formed. In the case of the device being employed as a fence, or

ture to such an extent as to render the employment of stakes, or other extraneous supporting means, unnecessary. However, where the area inclosed is small, the sections may be fully extended and made to form any geometrical figure as a circle or the like.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1- As a new article of manufacture, a device of the character described, comprising a plurality of vertical rods adapted for insertion in the ground; and a series of longitudinally disposed rodsiconnecting adjacent J whereby sections foldable one upon the other are formed, said sections being adapted when the free sides of the terminal sections are brought together to form an angular support, the fixedly attached ends of one series of longitudinal rods being bent to engage the pivotally secured ends of the adjacent series, whereby vertical movement of the latter is prevented.

Signed by me this 4th day of March, 1908.

IRVING A. BROWN. Attested by- D. T. DAVIES, JNo. F. OBERLIN. 

